Agapanthus plant named ‘KEK 5006’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Agapanthus  cultivar named ‘KEK 5006’ is disclosed, characterized by, green foliage with a distinct yellow margin. Plants are consistently variegated and easier to propagate than most variegated  Agapanthus . The new variety is a  Agapanthus , typically produced as an outdoor ornamental plant.

Latin name of the genus and species: Agapanthus praecox.

Variety denomination: ‘KEK 5006’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new cultivar is the product of chance discovery. The new varietyoriginated as a naturally occurring, whole plant mutation of anunpatented, unnamed Agapanthus praecox.

The new variety was discovered by the inventor after several years ofisolating and propagating clones of the interesting Agapanthus praecoxmutation in a commercial nursery in Lanseria, South Africa. Afteridentifying the new variety as a potentially interesting selection, theinventor continued confidential testing and observation of ‘KEK 5006’until approximately 1997, finally selecting the variety ‘KEK5006’ forfurther propagation during 2000.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘KEK 5006’ was first performedby division in Lanseria, South Africa, during 2000, on a very limitedbasis. Access to all plants was restricted, as plants were kept in alocation not open to the public. Through subsequent propagation,multiple generations have been reproduced, which have shown that theunique features of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘KEK 5006’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, day length, and lightintensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘KEK 5006’. These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘KEK 5006’ as a new and distinct Agapanthuscultivar:

-   -   1. Broad, variegated foliage.    -   2. Very stable variegation, without reversion.    -   3. Faster growing than typical variegated Agapanthus.    -   4. Green foliage with a bright yellow margin.

PARENT COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘KEK 5006’ are similar to the parent in mosthorticultural characteristics. However, the new variety, produces verystable variegated foliage, compared to the parent plant, which revertsmore easily. Additionally, plants of ‘KEK 5006’ produce flowers of alighter blue than the parent variety.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘KEK 5006’ are similar to the unpatentedcommercial variety Agapanthus praecox ‘Tinkerbell’ in most horticulturalcharacteristics. The new variety, however, differs in the following:

-   -   1. Produces foliage that is green with yellow variegation,        whereas ‘Tinkerbell’ produces silver-green variegated leaves.    -   2. ‘KEK 5006’ consistently produces flowers regularly whereas        ‘Tinkerbell’ flowers infrequently and erratically. Foliage of        the new variety is broader than foliage of ‘Tinkerbell’.    -   3. Broader foliage than ‘Tinkerbell’.    -   4. Flowers of the new variety produce a lighter color blue than        flowers of ‘Tinkerbell’.    -   5. Plants of the new variety are on average 20 cm taller.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘KEK 5006’ are similar to the commercialvariety Agapanthus africanus ‘Summer Gold’, unpatented, in mosthorticultural characteristics. The new variety, however, differs in thefollowing:

-   -   1. Plants of the new variety are taller than plants of ‘Summer        Gold’.    -   2. Flowers of the new variety produce a much lighter color blue        than flowers of ‘Summer Gold’.    -   3. Plants of the new variety have a lighter yellow variegation    -   4. Plants of the new variety are easier to propagate than plants        of ‘Summer Gold’.    -   5. Foliage of the new variety is much broader than foliage of        ‘Summer Gold’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color atypical plant of ‘KEK 5006’ grown in Lanseria, South Africa.

FIG. 2 illustrates in full color a close up of the inflorescence andfoliage of ‘KEK 5006’.

The photographs were taken using conventional techniques and althoughcolors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectanceit is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart 2007, except where general terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observationsand measurements describe ‘KEK 5006’ plants grown outdoors in San JuanCapistrano, Calif. Plants are approximately 1 year old. Temperaturesranged from approximately 8° C. to 25° C. at night and 10° C. to 32° C.during the day. No artificial light, photoperiodic treatments were givento the plants. No chemical treatments were given to plants. Measurementsand numerical values represent averages of typical plant types.

-   Botanical classification: Agapanthus praecox ‘KEK 5006’.

PROPAGATION

-   Root description: Thick, fleshy root system colored near    Greyed-Orange 164D and Orange-White 159C.

PLANT

-   Growth habit: Clump forming tender perennial with arching, pendulous    foliage.-   Height: Foliar plane 30 to 40 cm. Flowering plane up to 75 cm.-   Plant spread: Approximately 75 cm.-   Growth rate: Moderate, slower growth than non-variegated forms.-   Growth pattern: The plant grows throughout most of the year but    mainly in the summer months. This grow is in the form of basal    shoots or pups as well as some leaf extension. From mid summer    flowers start to appear and remain for much of the summer.

FOLIAGE

-   Leaf:    -   -   Average leaf length.—Average range approximately 25 to 40            cm.        -   Average leaf width.—Approximately 3.5 cm.        -   Arrangement.—Basal, irregular whorls.        -   Shape of blade.—Linear.        -   Apex.—Acute.        -   Base.—Cuneate.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Texture of top surface.—Smooth.        -   Texture of bottom surface.—Smooth.        -   Quantity of leaves per plant.—Average 25.        -   Color.—Leaf color is influenced by the amount of sun            exposure. Information below relates to plants under shade            cloth. Both mature and immature foliage colored the same.            Upper blade: Margin near Yellow 11D, margin width average            7 mm. Interior colored near Green 138A, with thin(about 2 to            3 mm) stripes colored near Yellow 11D. Lower Blade: Near            Green group RHS Yellow-Green 144A.        -   Venation.—Type: Linear. Venation color upper side:            Indistinguishable from leaf blade. Venation color under            side: Indistinguishable from leaf blade.

FLOWER

-   Natural flowering season: Summer.-   Length of flowering period: Approximately 8 weeks.-   Inflorescence type: Terminal Umbel with approximately 44 individual    flowers.-   Individual flower type: Single.-   Flower profile: Funnelform.-   Bud:    -   -   Shape.—Ovate.        -   Shape.—Narrow ovate.        -   Length.—Approximately 3.1 cm.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 0.9 cm.        -   Color.—Near Violet-Blue 95D, striped with 94C.-   Umbel size:    -   -   Diameter.—Average 16 cm.        -   Height.—Average 11 cm.        -   Stem length.—Average 50 to 60 cm.-   Corolla:    -   -   Arrangement.—Apetalous, single, campanulate flowers composed            of 6 basally fused tepals, shaped into a flared trumpet.        -   Size.—Length: Approximately 4.1 cm. Width: Approximately 3.6            cm at widest point. Lobe Length: Approximately 2.1 cm. Lobe            Width: 0.4 cm.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Shape.—Lanceolate.        -   Apex.—Obtuse, concave.        -   Texture.—Glabrous all surfaces.-   Color:    -   -   Tepals.—When opening: Outer surface: Near Violet-Blue 95D            striped 94D. Inner surface: A color between Violet-Blue 94D            and 95D. Center stripe near Violet-Blue 97A.        -   Fully opened.—Outer surface: Near RHS Violet-Blue 97D with            center streak near 94D. Inner surface: Near RHS Violet-Blue            97C with center streak near 97A.        -   Color changes when aging.—Outer surface: Near RHS            Violet-Blue 97D with center streak near Violet N87D. Inner            surface: Near RHS Violet-Blue 91C with center streak near            Violet N87D.        -   Sepals.—Not Present.-   Fragrance: None.-   Pedicels:    -   -   Length.—Approximately 2.9 cm.        -   Width.—Approximately 0.15 cm.        -   Aspect.—Straight.        -   Color.—Near RHS Yellow-Green 144A, striped Green 138B.-   Scape:    -   -   Length.—Average range 50 to 60 cm.        -   Width.—Approximately 0.9 cm.        -   Angle.—Upright from center of plant, very straight.        -   Strength.—Strong.        -   Color.—Near RHS Green 138B, striped Yellow 9D.-   Flower filament color: Near Violet-Blue group RHS 94C.-   Flower anther color: Near Greyed-Yellow group RHS 160D-   Flower style color: Near Violet-Blue group RHS 94C.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

-   Stamens:    -   -   Number.—Average 6.        -   Filament length.—Approximately 2.8 cm.        -   Filament color.—Near RHS Violet-Blue 91D.        -   Anther length.—0.2 cm.        -   Anther color.—Near RHS Purple N79C.        -   Pollen.—Not observed.-   Pistil:    -   -   Number.—1.        -   Length.—Approximately 2.6 cm.        -   Style color.—Near RHS Violet-Blue 92D.        -   Stigma.—Shape: Linear. Color: Near RHS Violet-Blue 91D.        -   Ovary color.—Near RHS Yellow-Green 150B.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Seed production: Seed production not observed to date.-   Disease resistance: Neither resistance nor susceptibility to normal    diseases and pests of Agapanthus.-   Temperature tolerance: Typically USDA zones 7b through 11.-   Drought tolerance: Will tolerate considerable dryness once    established.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Agapanthus plantnamed ‘KEK 5006’ as herein illustrated and described.